Cooper to get $100M contract after Prescott tagged
DALLAS — Amari Cooper on Monday agreed to resign with the Dallas Cowboys on a five-year, $100 million deal, according to multiple reports.
At $20 million per season, Cooper will be the second highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL to Atlanta’s Julio Jones ($22 million).
The new collective bargaining agreement meant the Cowboys could use the franchise tag on only one player, and Dallas prioritized quarterback Dak Prescott by using the exclusive franchise tag on him.
Cooper, meanwhile, was able to get a new contract after Dallas allowed him to hit the free agent market. The Cowboys had to justify trading a first-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders two years ago for Cooper by taking care of him with a long-term deal.
Last season, Cooper earned his fourth Pro Bowl appearance as he set careerhighs in catches (79), yards (1,189) and touchdowns (eight). Cooper said during the Pro Bowl he wanted to remain in Dallas and he lives in the area during the offseason.
Now the Cowboys can move into this offseason looking to retain the services of defensive end Robert Quinn in addition to upgrading the defensive line and finding another cornerback in free agency or the draft.
The first step was reaching deals with their highprofile players, Cooper and Prescott. The Cowboys have work to do with Prescott, but Cooper’s taken care of now.
The Cowboys have always had high-profile receivers, whether it was Bob Hayes, Drew Pearson, Terrell
Owens or Dez Bryant. When they traded for Cooper, it meant they added to the list of elite receivers who make life better for the offense and quarterbacks.
Prescott becomes the 11th quarterback in NFL history to receive the franchise tag, but it’s the first time the Cowboys have used the tag on one. Kirk Cousins was placed under the tag by Washington for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Other notable quarterbacks to be franchised include Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Michael Vick.
Prescott will receive a salary that’s projected to be $31.6 million for the 2020 season. The Cowboys and Prescott’s agent, Todd France, have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. If the sides can’t reach a deal by then, Prescott will play the 2020 season under the tag.
Using the tag doesn’t end the discussions between the sides, but it raises questions. Under new coach Mike McCarthy, it’s uncertain if Prescott will report to the offseason program that is tentatively scheduled to begin April 6.
Some franchised players skipped offseason workouts and didn’t report until mandatory minicamps or training camp.
Last year, running back Ezekiel Elliott, with two years remaining on his contract, attended offseason workouts and mandatory minicamps but held out of training camp while seeking a new deal. Elliott signed a new deal about a week before the start of the regular season, becoming the highest-paid player at his position.
Prescott is seeking a contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players at his position. Contract talks ramped up last summer when sources say the Cowboys offered Prescott a guaranteed deal worth $90 million but last September increased that offer to $105 million with an average salary of $33 million.
Last year, three quarterbacks — Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Russell Wilson — reached new deals that set the market for the position.
All three quarterbacks had one year remaining on their deals and received four-year extensions. Wilson signed for a total of $140 million with $107 million guaranteed. He has the highest average salary in the NFL at $35 million.
Wentz also signed a fouryear extension worth $128 million with $107.9 million in guarantees. Wentz averages $32 million per season.
Goff has the highest total guarantees at $110 million and averages $33.5 million per season.
It’s assumed Prescott is seeking higher compensation than what those quarterbacks received.
In other news Monday, the Cowboys reached an agreement on a three-year contract with tight end Blake Jarwin. The deal is worth $24.25 million and $9.25 million guaranteed.
Jarwin, who set career highs in catches (31), yards (365) and snaps (434), is projected as the starting tight end if Jason Witten doesn’t return. A secondround tender would have given Jarwin a base salary of $3.2 million.